The Real Deal Miami

‘Glades rehab buy draws critics

August 11, 2009 01:20PM

Objections to a $500 million purchase of land in the Everglades have reached a judge who’s being asked to kill the deal. The Miccosukee Tribe and U.S. Sugar competitor Florida Crystals want Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Donald Hafele to quash the arrangement, which they claim is a result of political pressure from Governor Charlie Crist. The water district wants to borrow $2.2 billion, with an initial $536 million going toward the 73,000-acre purchase. The judge’s ruling is due at the end of the month and could send the case to the Florida Supreme Court.